The Minister for Health, Wellness, the Environment and Public Service Affairs, the Honourable Michael Joseph, held discussions today with the President of Monroe University, Mark Jerome, on opportunities for the university to provide specialised training and professional development for health professionals in Antigua and Barbuda.
The discussions focused on developing training programmes that respond directly to the country’s evolving healthcare needs, while making it easier for local professionals to pursue advanced academic qualifications without having to spend extended periods overseas.
A key proposal involved a blended approach to training, whereby the academic and theoretical components of programmes would be delivered virtually, while the practical and clinical requirements would be undertaken in Antigua and Barbuda through concentrated periods of on-site instruction.
Both officials discussed the possibility of coordinating the clinical component with training activities at the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre, allowing participants to complete the required practical experience within the local healthcare system.
Minister Joseph indicated that this approach would be particularly beneficial as Antigua and Barbuda prepares to expand its healthcare services and strengthen its laboratory capacity. He noted that the demand for laboratory services is already significant and is expected to increase considerably as the country moves towards the establishment of a public laboratory.
The discussions also addressed the need for specialised training in public health. The Minister identified several priority areas, including obesity, infant mortality and prenatal care, noting that the Ministry requires professionals with focused expertise who can help develop and implement targeted programmes and policies to address these challenges.
While several nurses within the public health system possess bachelor’s degrees and some have pursued master’s qualifications in public health, Minister Joseph explained that there is a need for more specialised training tailored to the specific requirements of Antigua and Barbuda.
In response, the Monroe University President expressed willingness to explore the development of a customised Master of Public Health programme, incorporating on-site training to address the country’s identified needs.
President Jerome also highlighted the university’s Caribbean and African faculty composition, which he said provides an important cultural understanding when delivering programmes in the region. He referenced Monroe University’s experience partnering with a major healthcare workers’ union in New York to provide training opportunities for approximately 1,000 adult learners across different levels of the healthcare sector, from entry-level workers seeking to advance into clinical roles to nurses pursuing graduate qualifications.
The discussions concluded with an understanding that the university’s academic team would need to develop a programme structure that accommodates virtual delivery of theoretical courses and a coordinated local cohort for the clinical component.
The proposed collaboration represents an opportunity to strengthen the professional capacity of Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare workforce, expand access to specialised qualifications and develop local expertise in critical areas of public health and clinical services.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Minister Michael Joseph and Monroe University President Discuss Specialised Training for Health Professionals.